State seeks dismisal of rural public safety lawsuit
ANCHORAGE (AP) -- A state attorney has asked a Superior Court judge to dismiss a lawsuit by rural communities and Alaska Native groups that alleges state discrimination through inadequate police protection in villages.

Tourism survey shows advance bookings down
ANCHORAGE (AP) -- A survey of Alaska's tourism industry shows that advance bookings for next summer's visitor season are down by an average of 23 percent, far below the expected overall drop of 40 to 60 percent.

Regents approve new economics chair
ANCHORAGE (AP) -- A chair in economics financed by a $5 million gift from the late Anchorage banker Elmer Rasmussen has been formally approved by the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska.

FAA considers new air routes over Anchorage
ANCHORAGE (AP) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing more than a dozen new air routes over Anchorage to safeguard small planes from potentially deadly jet turbulence.

AIDEA backs $10.7 million loan for veneer plant
KETCHIKAN (AP) -- A $10.7 million bank loan for Gateway Forest Products was approved Thursday by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. That leaves the veneer mill operator, now under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, one step away from getting the infusion.

Hunting bin Laden
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Armed with photographs of wanted terrorists, U.S. Marines scoured the roads of southern Afghanistan on Saturday for Taliban and al-Qaida leaders who might have slipped out of Kandahar as the former ruling militia abandoned its last stronghold.

Charities team up to allow incarcerated parents to still play Santa
At the end of Wildwood Road, far removed from shoppers rushing home with their presents, sits the frost-covered buildings of Wildwood Correctional Center. Behind a chain link fence topped with razor-sharp coils of wire, some 250 Alaska inmates are serving their sentences. Clanking metal gates and locked doors keep them separated from Kenai Peninsula residents.

Orthodox church opens new center
The Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska has big plans for education, outreach and fellowship that are manifested in the new St. Yakov Center for Orthodox Christian Learning.

A miracle amid the devastation?
NEW YORK -- With the World Trade Center death toll shrinking to somewhere around 3,000, many hesitate to speak of a miracle or a success. But those are the words they are using when they remember that thousands of others got out alive before the towers collapsed.

Father, son share more than family name at Soldotna church
Son and father duos fill the world. U.S. President George W. and his father, George H.W. Fox Television's Bart Simpson and his father Homer. Actor Peter Fonda and his father Henry. Musician Arlo Guthrie and his father Woodie. Legendary race car driver Dale Earnhardt and his father, Ralph.

Bend and stretch: Make the holidays meaningful
If you can spare a moment, this might be a good time to explore how you will spend the next few weeks leading up to and including the holidays. The following statements are quoted from a Montana Cooperative Extension publication designed to help people analyze how they invest their resources such as time, money and personal energy related to the holidays.

And I want ...
Elder Mary Patsy sits on Santa's lap and shares her Christmas list with him and Mrs. Claus during their brief visit to the Eskimo village of St. Mary Nov. 30 as part of the Alaska National Guard's Operation Santa.

Nikiski wrestlers dominate Area 3
The Nikiski High School wrestling team will be well-represented at next week's state fall wrestling championships, advancing 18 athletes through the Area 3 Championship -- including eight individual champions crowned Saturday at Anchorage Christian Schools.

Capitals crushed by Devils
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Sergei Brylin and Brian Rafalski scored second-period goals as the New Jersey Devils beat the Washington Capitals 3-1 Saturday to reach .500 for the first time since Nov. 17.

Kenny Lake skaters cruise past Bulldogs
The Nikiski High School hockey team dropped a Greatland Conference game 4-1 to the Kenny Lake Hawks Friday night at Jason Peterson Memorial Rink in Nikiski, but the Bulldogs did manage to improve their performance after going scoreless in four straight games.

North Dakota wears Division II crown
FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) -- Jed Perkerewicz scored on a 1-yard with 29 seconds to play as North Dakota outlasted Grand Valley State 17-14 on Saturday for its first NCAA Division II championship.

Stars drop 3-2 decision to Dimond
The Soldotna hockey team played Dimond, the top-ranked team in the state, close before losing 3-2 Friday in a nonconference game at Ben Boeke Arena in Anchorage.

After Van Gundy resigns, Knicks triumph
NEW YORK -- With Jeff Van Gundy undoubtedly watching from the edge of his easy chair, the New York Knicks began a new era without him by beating the Indiana Pacers 101-99 Saturday night.